Organization is a Key to Success

Organization is a Key to Success:Without organization in your work, it becomes increasingly difficult to achieve anything. This is especially true in today’s onslaught of digital information, tools and opportunity.

I use a working log to keep track of my efforts during the day. With my computer, it is not a good Idea to have too many files open. This morning I had to restart my log as it was growing too large to manage easily. I have pared it down from 45,000 words to around 6000. It may sound like a lot but I have several PRs in progress and then there is the information that I need at my fingertips when I need the answer to a question.

*-*-*-*-**NB: I am using Microsoft Word for my wordprocessor. I was using Open Office before. It was an excellent *Free office suite but it seemed I was going to need access to some of the original Word products.

One of the benefits of Word is the automatic Spelling and Grammar checks. I rely on it for suggestions only. I have added several words to the dictionary, such as Nove-Noga, to keep the red warnings under control. There have been several occasions where I have disagreed with the Grammar check. Sometimes it becomes confused about the difference between “your” and “you’re”.

It has been suggested that you write IBO PRs in a text editor, like notepad. The IBO Toolbox PR Editor does not handle special characters well and does not handle HTML properly at all. My working files use the “rtf” extension for Rich Text Files. As long as I avoid special characters, special text (bold, italic, etc.), and active Hypertext Links, I have had no trouble.

To deactivate a Hypertext Link in Microsoft Word, place the Cursor at the end of the link and hit [Back Space]. The cursor should not move and the Hypertext indicator, blue text with a line on my system, will disappear.* *-*-*-*-*

Organization is a Key to Success. We are dependent upon our tools. The working log that I reset this morning has a number of headings throughout the body. To make them easier to find, I have started using hash tags, ‘#’, to make them easy to identify. These are some of my working headings and their purpose.

#Headings: A list of all my working headings as seen below. When you forget what tag you were using for a specific purpose, it is nice to have a list you can use for reference.

#Possible Topics: Topics that I am considering for PRs. Having a place to easily drop a quick note makes it easier to keep from losing those great ideas.

#Active Topics: Topics that I am working on. If time passes between the moment you start making notes and the opportunity to complete it, it is good to have a list of your work in progress. In a side note, while working on a large programming project I became ill. Imagine my surprise when I found a section that I had already completed with no memory of doing the work. It was nice work that followed carefully the organization that I was using. Organization is a Key to Success.

#New PR Header & Base: A blank heading and base for layout of my PR.I use this to layout the information for each PR so that I have it ready to post. The words are slightly different from the current PR Editor. My first posting at IBO Toolbox was still referred to as a blog. Doing it this way makes posting my PR very easy. Once they have been written and posted, I move them to another file. Link: Date: Press Release Title:Your Website Link: http://www.Nove-Noga.com/ Keywords: Nove-Noga

#Notation: My list of terms I use in my GIMP PRs. Easier to stay consistent.

#PR (work in progress): The PRs that I am working on with notes and copy.

#Blog Setup: Eventually I need to start writing some Blogs. This is where I will work.

#References: Information that I need from time to time.

#Web Tools: FileZilla and other tools that I find useful. I would list them here but that is one of the PRs I have in Active Topics.

#Bits and Pieces: Every list needs a place for miscellaneous.

#Contacts: Another reason to get a good database system is to track everyone I know.

#Opportunity: You never know until you look. I hate forgetting where I put a great note.

#Index: A working list of my IBO PRs by category. Start early, Organization is a Key to Success. You may find it very useful to have each PR in its group.

#Log: As I work on IBO Toolbox, I make notes on passing thoughts and contacts. I frequently copy what I have written for a comment to check for spelling and grammar. One of the PRs I wrote with them was very well received.

#Daily: This holds the bottom of the Log list and is where I put frequently needed URL so that I can easily copy and paste them.

#Welcome: I have a list of eight or nine welcome messages that I use when greeting new IBOers on the wall. We owe it to ourselves to make them feel welcome and to help them learn the system. We all benefit by having more Great IBO Associates.

#First: I send a message of welcome, “IBO First Tips”, to every new IBOer that Associates with me. It contains my IBO Tip List URL. http://ibourl.net/IBOtipList I also include the address for the IBO Newsletter. http://www.ibotoolboxnews.com/

#Help: “May I Offer a Little Help?”, is more specific advice for those who don’t get off to a good start at IBO Toolbox. It is a great place but we don’t all think the same way. I am happy to help those who are willing to learn.

#Thanks: My, “Thanks for the Association”, message is for the Veteran IBOers and those new IBOers who manage to hit the ground running.

You can see from these headings that there is a lot to keep track of here at IBO Toolbox. That doesn’t consider the rest of the Internet. You can probably think of several more headings that you might consider using. My website pages and preparation present a whole different set of problems.

Whatever the Project, Organization is a Key to Success. If you are just starting out, take the time to start a System for keeping track of what you learn. Consider how organizing your Favorites or Bookmarks today may make it much easier to find what you need when you need it. There is nothing more frustrating than looking for something know you have and not being able to find it.Nove-Noga!